As the artist for HIKYM, I have plenty of concept material such as sketches, page variations, and layouts sitting around on my computer. I figured these things might have some interest to fans of the series, and so I will upload images as the comic progresses, perhaps giving some background info about 'em along the way.

Originally this comic wasn't going to be digitally gray-scaled. I hadn't done anything digitally comic wise in months, and was pretty rusty at the time. However after some deliberation we decided to go for it. It takes me a lot longer to do the pages, but it seems to be worth it.

Mirai Gen

08-15-2009 12:57 AM

Thread title is appropriately hilarious. I sincerely hope this becomes a humorous, not-annoying running gag.

I like the work on the armor, you very clearly did your homework.

MSperoni

08-15-2009 01:04 AM

Because there isn't really a particular point in Chinese history this comic is set in, I was more free in costume designs. Brian doesn't seem to care an awful lot about historical accuracy in this story, so long as it looks generally Chinese.

There will be more to this "Behind the Punch" thread, I figure once every couple of days or so I will add another image or two.

Mirai Gen

08-15-2009 01:25 AM

I can tell it isn't a specific type of Chinese armor, but it looks Chinese and given how interchangeable sometimes the armors of all Eastern regions can be I just appreciate that small (large?) detail.

MSperoni

08-15-2009 06:47 AM

Yeah, there's definitely similarities amongst all types, slight variations but the core is the same (armor wise). Then again I guess that's how it is even with Western armors.

I kept the mercenaries' armor ragtag and simple (but hopefully effective), a gaggle of minor characters would be a real chore to draw if they were all decked out in anything insanely complicated. :p

Corel

08-15-2009 08:24 AM

Yeah, it'd be pretty cool to see concept sketches and doodles about the series, and how you created the scenes.

Kind of like a Director's commentary!

Satan's Onion

08-15-2009 08:39 AM

Stickyin' this because it's really neat. Carry on, everyone.

MSperoni

08-15-2009 12:23 PM

As you might have noticed, HIKYM has its own little gallery section now. "How I Killed Your Gallery"!
This gallery will contain various concept sketches of HIKYM, and will expand as time goes by (We can't really show you the concept for page 7 until page 7 is posted, after all!)

This gallery doesn't mean the end of "Behind the Punch". Instead, BtP will just serve as a discussion forum for the art that appears in the gallery.

If there's a pic you wish to talk about, or anything, just post a link here or just ask something like, for example:

"What's the deal with that skimpy dressed girl on the pic of Master Fei's sons?"

and I will say something to the extent of: "That's just some silly girl named Koko from a goofy comic I am working on. I put it in there as a joke."

etc etc :D

Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope

08-15-2009 01:05 PM

I would rather be the force behind the punch and not the force receiving the punch.

Love the sketches.

MSperoni

08-15-2009 01:44 PM

Thanks :)

A number of the sketches, such as the interiors were made before we really got going on the comic..

I used a lot of movies for help, but Jet Li's Fearless seemed to be the most helpful in these initial stages. Especially when it came to designing the "dojo" (I think the Chinese term is "Wu Guan" but I'm not 100% sure on that so I'll just say "dojo")